E Passport

There are a couple of concepts here that you've kind of merged together....

• if you have a passport with the symbol in the middle of the cover (google E-passport
  symbol), then you have an E (or biometric) passport. If you don't, you won't be able to
  use the electronic gates.

• the Egates are automatic lanes where you scan your passport and then look into a camera
  which does a retinal scan and compares it to the biometric information in your passport. If
  everything matches, off you go.

Gates have been being installed at different airports in different countries on different timescales,
so it's definitely possible you may have missed them before. And they are not always open. And
sometimes the people watching the lines of incoming people don't think you're eligible to use the
Egate line.

The Egates work the same way outbound as inbound. But not every country has implemented
the gates universally yet, and each system is somewhat country-specific. So I would not assume
you can use the gates at an airport you have not been through, until you've done it once. But
based on the itineraries you have mentioned, you should be able to use the Egates (subject to
caveats noted above), for departure as well, when you enter the secure area for non-Schengen
flights at Lisbon Airport.

Thanks for the response! I do have an E Passport (has the little symbol on the cover). To be honest, until I read something about it a few months ago, I'd never heard of it. It sounds like it's supposed to save time and will get me through the lines a bit faster, but I'm not even sure which lines and where that applies.

In past trips they just may not have had them, or they were only for EU member passport holders. Airports are starting to expand usage of e-gates for other nationalities. In general, when you walk into the immigration hall of any airport, you usually will see the cattle chutes with a winding line, and booths with a person in about a quarter of them, the traditional lines. Off to one side will be kiosk/turnstile type contraptions, maybe with a gate like you see on public transport. These are the e-gates, they will be signed for who may use them, some may still be reserved only for EU member passport holders, but if it indicates US passport holders, walk up, scan the passport, look at the camera (I disagree with a previous post, not a Retina Scan, just plain facial recognition), get a green light and you are on your way.

At Heathrow earlier this year, where it seems I have spent hours in line in the past, I was through in about 10 minutes.

The oft mentioned, frequently delayed EITAS system that keeps coming up, will actually help this, and likely make e-gates available across the Schengen area.

@Paul - all US passports are E gates eligible, because we all have biometric passports since 2007.

There are no live Immigration agents before the E gates scanning passports, you are just funnelled into the E Gates by country (there are folks helping you if you have issues). After that, you see a human for passport stamping. Reverse happens when departing CDG.

AMS a few months ago, E gates for US passports. FRA a few weeks ago, there were no E gates for US passports.

It's nice when it's there, but it's really not a game changer if it's not. Just follow the signage and do what is offered.

all US passports are E gates eligible, because we all have biometric passports since 2007.

Yes, but my point was that not all e-gates are for use by US passport holders. More and more are, but not all.

To add to Paul's point, as I noted, every country is doing things their own way. You are able
to use the Egates entering the UK by default, for instance, with a biometric passport. But to
use them in Germany, you have to register with the Federal Police for the EasyPass program
first. Best to do an online check for the countries you will enter/exit Europe from close to your
travel dates.